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(No Model.)

F. L. G. CHAPMAN. AXLE.

Patented May 28, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. G. CHAPMAN, OF STEVENS POINT, \VISCONSIN.

AXLE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,342, dated May 28, 1889.

Application filed March 27, 1889. Serial No- 304,934. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. G. CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stevens Point, in the county of Portage and State of Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Axles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to vehicles; and it consists in an improved axle, as hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims. In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the middle portion or bed-piece of the axle, showing the end portions, partly broken away, attached thereto; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one end of the bed-plate, an end portion, and the hub of a wheel.

The bed-piece I is made of metal, and its central part is preferably tubular, as shown, being provided on top with a suitable seat or bed for the spring R, which is secured to it by clips 4 passing through lugs 27 on the bedpiece. From each end of the bed-piece extends an arm, I, to which is secured an end portion or hollow axle, A. The bed-piece and arms are slightly curved downward and forward to give the proper set and gather to the wheels. At each end of the central portion. of the bed-piece I is formed an oil-chamber, L, by means of a partition, Z, inside of the hollow bed-piece.

The end portions, A, of the axle are tubular and underlie the arms'I. One end of each end portion enters its corresponding oil-chamber L, being preferably attached by means of screw-threads, as shown, in order to form a liquid-tight joint. A clip, P, near the end of the arm 1, holds the tubular axle firmly in place, the under side of the arm being con cave to fit the axle.

The outer end of each tubular axle'A is enlarged at a, and the outer cylindrical surface of the enlargement is provided With screw-threads a. This enlargement is to receive the bushing H, of Babbitt or other anti friction metal, forming a journal-box for the outer journal of the spindle B. This journal is preferably taper, as is also the journal at the inner end of the spindle, which is received in a bushing, K, inserted into the tubular axle at or near its junction with the oil-chamber L, into which the spindle B may project. The outer journal of the spindle is preferably of greater diameter than the inner one, to provide a greater bearing-surface.

To prevent the spindle from. being withdrawn from the axle, a collar, 0, is formed or shrunk 011 the spindle near the outer terminus of the larger journal, said collar entering Within the enlargement a of the axle and resting against or near to the end of the bushing H. Over the end of the enlargement a is screwed a sleeve, D, having an inturned flange, d, which fits the journal outside of the collar 0 and prevents the spindle from moving longitudinally.

A shank, F, of less diameter than the j ournal, extends out beyond the gme to receive the hub of the wheel, which is secured in place by a nut, f, on the end of the shank. A plate of metal, G, covers the end of the hub under the nut f. The inner end of the hub is recessed to receive the sleeve D, and a metallic plate, E, at the end of the recess bears against the flange d and takes the wear. On each side of the collar 0 and between the sleeve D and plate E is inserted a washer, N, of leather, vulcanized fabric, or the like.

The hub is provided with a metallic sleeve or thimble, M, inside of the spokes, and through this and the hub is drilled a hole, 0, to register with a socket in the outside of the sleeve D. Upon inserting a pin into this hole and socket the sleeve D can be unscrewed by turning the wheel backward. The wheel and spindle can then be removed from the axle and the oil-chamber can be filled through the hollow axle A.

It will be seen that I dispense with all oilholes, and that the journals are so thoroughly inclosed that dust and grit cannot penetrate to them, nor can the oil dry up. The journals will run for a long time Without Wearing loose, and being made tapering any play can be taken up by simply inserting liners behind the inner end of the bushing H, or by filing off the outer end of the tubular axle A to let the sleeve D force the spindle a little farther into the axle.

By making the axle in separate portions repairs are facilitated, since if any part gives out it not necessary to take out the whole axle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1S wt 1. The combination, with the hollow bedpiece I, having the arms I and oil-chamber L, of the tubular axle A, screwed into the ends of the oil-chambers, and the clips P, fastening the tubular axle to the arms I, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the tubular axle A, of the spindle 13, having the collar C, and the sleeve I), screwed upon the outer end of the axle and having a flange, (1, fitting outside of the collar (1, substantially as described.

53. The combination, with the tubular axle A, having the enlargement (l, of the bushing 11', received within the enlargement, the spindle ll, having a journal mounted in the bushing 11', and a collar, 0, adjacent to the end elf the lmshing and within the enlargement (l, and the sleeve D, screwed upon the outside of the enlargement a and having a flange, 1], fitting the journal outside of the collar (1, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the tubular axle A, of the spindle 1%, having a collar, 0, and a shank, F, a hub mounted on the shank and recessed to receive the end of the axle A, and provided with a hole, 0, and a sleeve, I), screwed upon the end of the axle within the recess of the hub and provided with a socket registering with the hole 0, substantially as described.

In testin'iony whereof I allix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK L. G. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

R. H. llu'rtrnnmnLo, Jenn Q. laos'rnn. 

